Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province opens its first Nankong 24-hour self-service bookstores on Dec 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The city of Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province opened its first Nankong 24-hour self-service bookstores on Dec 24.

The 16 bookstores are all equipped with self-help library card processing machines and self-checkout machines, allowing readers to borrow and return books with their identity cards.

The 16 bookstores feature different design styles according to their surrounding architecture, but all of them aim to create a warm environment for their readers.

The bookstores house up to 8,000 books available for borrowing, including volumes of science fiction, literature, history and pictures, all of which will be updated regularly.

Courteous Quzhou bookshelf is a highlight among the stores. It has more than 60 sets of books introducing Quzhou's famous people, scenic spots, history and culture.

"To inspire more local residents to enjoy reading and learn more about their home city is the Quzhou government's purpose in building the Nankong bookstores," said Xu Wenguang, secretary of the CPC Quzhou Municipal Party Committee at the launch ceremony.

The bookstore is part of the Quzhou Municipal Government's Nankong 24-hour Self-service Bookstore project, one of 10 projects benefiting local residents. The government plans to establish more Nankong bookstores in the city.